Ongoing cleaning and maintenance
Flooring can be designed for mold resistance or to resist the accumulation of dust and dirt that contain common allergens. For example, hard-surface flooring, flooring with a continuous surface, flooring with heat-welded seam installation, and carpeting with low pile height may be easier to clean and maintain to control allergens and other irritants.
Designers can recommend the optimal maintenance solution for the selected floor, as cleaning solutions can themselves contain harmful chemicals that can contribute to indoor air pollution. Cleaning products should have neutral formulations that are safe enough to protect humans and environments, including waterways. In addition, while some vacuum cleaners have poor filtration systems, options with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can minimize exposure to allergens.
Reliable standards and certifications
With so many flooring options available, it can be difficult for designers and facility owners to know what verifiably minimizes asthma and allergy triggers and supports healthier indoor environments. For example, many consumer products claim to be “hypoallergenic,” which signifies they are unlikely
to cause an allergic reaction. However, there are no federal standards for the term “hypoallergenic,” and manufacturers are not required to submit proof that their labeled product fulfills the claim.15
Third-party certifications ensure an independent organization has conducted inspection and performance testing on the products and determined they comply with specific quality and performance standards. Long-standing IAQ certification programs that intersect with flooring include:
- UL Greenguard Certification for products with low chemical emissions, developed by applied safety science organization UL Solutions.
- FloorScore, an IAQ standard for hard surface flooring materials, adhesives, and underlayments, developed by third-party environmental certification company SCS Global Services with the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI), an industry trade association of flooring manufacturers and suppliers.
- Green Label Plus ensures carpet, adhesive, and cushion products meet the most stringent criteria for low chemical emissions, developed by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI).
- The asthma & allergy friendly certification program applies its label to products that have met rigorous testing standards for low impact on the development or incidence of asthma and allergies.
